Bracket standard and base rail system

ABSTRACT

A modular partition comprising a plurality of modular panels, each supported between vertical posts which in turn are supported by and on a base rail. The vertical posts are so arranged that the modular panels may be hung therefrom by hooks along their vertical edges entering into appropriate slots in flanges on the post. The post, supported by a base rail, when arranged back to back, provides for a two sided wall; where the posts are supported on a rail so that they are not back to back, a single sided wall can be arranged which may be placed against an existing adjacent wall. The vertical posts not only provide means for suspending the modular wall panels, but also provide a channel with bracket support hooks on the inside of the channel from which modular furniture such as bookshelves having appropriate inter-engaging brackets may be hung and may be readily attached and removed.

O Umted States Patent 1 1 1111 3,7 33,755 Butler 14 1 May 22, 1973 54] BRACKET STANDARD AND BASE RAIL 3,483,998 12/1969 Butler ..211/177 SYSTEM Primary Examiner-Price C. Faw, Jr. 75] Inventor. David R. Butler, New York, NY. Attorney ostmlenk Faber Garb & Soffen [73] Assignee: Raymond Loewy/William Snaith,

Inc., New York, NY. [57} ABSTRACT [22] Filed: Feb. 25, 1971 A modular partition comprising a plurality of modular panels, each supported between vertical posts which [21] Appl' 118828 in turn are supported by and on a base rail. The vertical posts are so arranged that the modular panels may [52] US. Cl. ..52/36, 52/241 52/479, be hung therefrom by hooks along their vertical edges 211/177 entering into appropriate slots in flanges on the post. [51] Int. Cl. ..A471 5/08 The post, supported by a base rail, when arranged [58] Field of Search ..52/36, 479, 480, back to back, provides for a two sided wall; where the 52/481, 495, 497, 508, 241; 211/177 posts are supported on a rail so that they are not back A to back, a single sided wall can be arranged which [56] References Cited may be placed against an existing adjacent wall. The vertical posts not only provide means for suspending UNITED STATES PATENTS the modular wall panels, but also provide a channel 3,468,507 9/1969 Gerdman ..52/36 x with bracket pp hooks Oh the inside of the chan- 3,550,333 12/1970 s ki at 1,, nel from which modular furniture such as bookshelves 3,517,467 6/1970 Propst et al. having appropriate inter-engaging brackets may be 3,087,586 4/1963 Gray hung and may be readily attached and removed. 3,377,756 4/1968 Folhamus 3,174,592 3/1965 Berman et al. .52/479 5 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTED HAYZZ I973 SHEET 1 OF 4 PArEminm 3.733.755

SHEET 2 [IF 4 PATENTEU 22 1975 SHEET 3 [IF 4 1 BRACKET STANDARD AND BASE RAIL SYSTEM The present invention relates to wall partitions which may be incorporated between ceiling, floor, and wall. These partitions comprise vertical and horizontal modular panels which permit the extension of partitions as required. The vertical panels are supported by vertical posts of special cross-section conformation between horizontal rails, the bottom rail resting on the floor, the top rail being so arranged that it may be secured to a ceiling structure or to adjacent walls.

One of the elements of the invention comprises not only the modular partition structure which may readily be assembled and disassembled but also an arrangement of partitions in such manner that insulating or other material may be held in compression between the facing panels in order to provide a condition lacking in most assemblable and disassemblable partitions in that the transfer of noise, vibration and heat is greatly diminished through the partition.

In addition, the partition panels are consistent with a vertical post arrangement which provides not only channels in which the utility connections such as wiring and even plumbing may be contained and concealed from view and readily installed and removed, the posts also provide for the hanging of furniture such as shelves on both sides of the partition.

Essentially the invention comprises the utilization of a plurality of vertical posts spaced on desired center distances such as 30 inches apart as established by center slots in the base rail, and supported by a base rail, the vertical posts providing means on each side for securing modular partition panels between them and in effect hanging the modular partition panels from the post on each side with a space between the partition panels on each side for the installation of sound deadening or heat resistant material, the vertical posts also being provided with means for hanging furniture such as loaded shelves thereon.

The primary object of this invention therefore is the provision of a a modular erectable and disassemblable partition which may be put together with a minimum of tools and in which a plurality of vertical posts are provided for hanging or supporting partition surface panels on them with the vertical posts also providing channels for the concealment of utility services such as wiring and also providing not only means for hanging the partition panels thereon but also providing means for hanging furniture such as bookshelves and other fumiture elements thereon.

The foregoing and other objects of this invention will become apparent in the following description and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of the novel modular partition arrangement in various stages of erection.

FIG. 2 is a detailed view in perspective partly broken away and partly in phanton, showing the method of erection of the partition of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view in perspective of an alternate embodiment of the support post arrangement particularly at the base thereof for the partition of FIGS. 1 and 2, lending itself to utilization in connection with a single sided partition should that be desired, against an existing wall. In this case the same base elements are used but positioned differently.

FIG. 4 is a view partly in cross-section and in plan, looking down on the structure of FIG. 2 and therefore 2 taken from line 44 of FIG. of the arrows.

FIG. 5 is a side view partly in cross-section on line 5-5 of FIG. 3 showing the method of mounting fumiture such as'shelves on the partition of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the mounting arrangement for mounting furniture such as shelves on the partition of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a view corresponding to that of FIG. 4, but showing a modification of the surfacing panel so that all of the mounting post except the entry to the channel therein is concealed.

FIG. 8 is a view in perspective showing a piece of furniture such as a shelf which may be mounted on the partition.

FIG. 9 is a front elevation of a portion of the partition supporting posts of FIGS. 1 and 2, and 3, showing-an additional gap in the channel to allow the entry of a furniture mounting bracket tab.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 10-10 of FIG. 3 showing the arrangement of the base rail of the modified or alternate form of FIG. 3.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken online 1 l'l l f FIG. 2 showing the base rail construction of FIGS. 1 and 2 with a finishing floor strip.

FIG. 12 is a front view of the lower portion of the structure of FIGS. 1 and 2, showing a method of intersecurement of the base rail and vertical post.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, there is here shown a partition structure for a two sided partition in which both sides of the partition are to be in finished form. The partition is provided with a base rail configuration (FIGS. 1, 2, 11 and 12) which is essentially U shaped in construction consisting of two L shaped elements 21 and 22, the bases of which may be secured together, as shown in FIG. 11, by the screw 23 or by an appropriate fastening device which also secures the completed base rail 20 to the floor on which the partition is to stand. Each of the legs 21 and 22 of the base rail 20 is provided at intervals determined by the modular width which in this case may be 30 inches with recesses 24 so that the posts 25 and 26 may be mounted therein back to back. Each of the posts 25 and 26 as seen particularly in FIGS. 2 and 4, comprises a back plate 30 which may be vertically corrugated at 31, 32 to provide vertical rigidity and create a groove in which the furniture bracket extension 12A is contained.

Each post is provided with a series of reentrant bends to form basically a T shaped post with a channel therein as follows: A forward run 33, 34 on each side comprises a vertical section extending at right angles to the back plate 30. Each of the forward runs 33, 34 is provided with an additional run 36, 37 respectively extending at right angles thereto and parallel to the back plate 30. Each of the vertical elements 36 and 37 is provided with a U shaped extension 40, 41 respectively extending at a right angle thereto. The inwardly extending runs 42, 43 of each of the U shaped extensions 40, 41 are each provided with bracket supports 45, 45 at their inner ends (see also FIG. 6). The vertical sections 42, 43 which face each other and which have the bracket supports 45 thereon, define a channel 47 therebetween which serve as a vertical entry to the principal channel 48. The principal channel 48 may be utilized for utilities such as wiring 50 which may be concealed.

Each post may be secured to the rail 20 by screws 52 or some appropriate fastening device which enter 2, looking in the direction through the opposite legs 21, 22 of the rail and into the bottom of the vertical run 36, 37 of the vertical post on each side thereof. Other means of securement may also be provided. It will be seen therefore that the U shaped elements 40, 41 extend down below the upper surface of gap 24 on the outside while the sections 36, 37 of the post extend down inside past the upper surface of the gap 24 to lie in co-plannar relation. The vertical elements 36 and 37 of post 25, lying in co-plannar relation against the inner surface of rail leg 21 and the corresponding elements of post 26 similarly placed against the inner surface of rail leg 22. By this means therefore, the vertical posts 25 and 26 are integrated with the base rail 20.

The wall panels 60, FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 11 which may be of any desired material, and any desired surfacing may be arranged to be hung from the vertical post 25 and 26. For this purpose each of the vertical runs 36 and 37 of each post 25 and 26 is provided with a series of vertical slots 61 spaced in any predetermined man ner. The inner surface adjacent each of the vertical edges of the wall panel 60 is provided with hooks 63, an appropriate number of such hooks being provided in order properly to support the panel, at least one hook being provided near the top of the panel and one hook being provided near the bottom, although intermediate hooks may be used. The books are so arranged that the wall panel 60 may be placed against the vertical run 36 of one post and the vertical run 37 of the next adjacent post and hung thereon by the entry of the hooks 63 into the slot 61.

Prior to putting the panels in place, an appropriate insulating material, if such is desired, may be used. Thus, when the panel 60 on one side of thepartition is installed, a batt 70 of insulating material may be installed against the said panel 60 (seev FIG. 4) and then the opposite wall panel 60a may be installed, thereby securing this batt of material therebetween. Thus, while the wall partition may be used without any batt or internal element 70, thereby creating a dead air space, it may also be provided with an insulating material as shown. This material will keep the panels in compression thereby securing the panels tightly against the vertical posts and adding to the sound absorption qualities of the room substantially and will eliminate vibration between the posts and panels. Whenever wall panel 60 is made of wood or other material which is not moldable and which cannot integrally provide a hook, then the hook 63 may, as shown in FIG. 4, be a bracket member made of steel or any other suitable material which may be screwed by screw 71 or an appropriate fastening device into the material wall panel 60.

The vertical wall panel 60 may be provided, by way of example in modular form 30 inches wide and any desired height. It has been found that two general heights are desirable, one 60 inches and one 30 inches. Where a mere partition is to be created, then only the 60 inch panel is used, where a full wall is to be created, then as shown in FIG. 1, a 60 inch panel 81 may be used above a 30 inch panel 80. Such panels may be provided in any other vertical sizes such as inches in order to create a 75 inch wall by combination with the 60 inch panel 81. Normally it is intended that where the combination of a 30 inch and 60 inch panel is used, in an 8 ft. ceiling room, a full wall partition is obtained. By this means therefore, it will be seen that a complete vertical partition may be formed of a series of modular panels.

As seen in FIG. -11 the partition walls 60 which are thereby hung from the posts, may be shaped to hang down and cover the base rail 20 and vinyl or other finishing strips 82, may be used to finish off the partition and provide a built in look.

As seen in FIG. 7, the partition 60b of FIG. 7 may be provided with forward extensions 83 on each side to cover the U-shaped channels 41, 40 thereby leaving only the slotted opening visible, this slotted opening or entry 47 being seen in FIGS. 2, 4, and 9.

As previously pointed out, the inner runs 42, 43 of the channels 40, 41 are provided with a series of bracket arrangements 45, so arranged that a bracket tab 91 extending from a bracket plate 92 of a piece of furniture 93 such as a shelf (see particularly FIGS. 5 and 6) may be inserted through the entries 95 and 47 and engage with the bracket elements 45. Since the hook elements 91 are wider than the entry 47, the vertical entry channel 47 is widened at intervals as shown in FIG. 9 by cutting away a portion of each channel 40, 43, to form a wide entry slot 95. Regardless of where the piece of furniture 93 is to be hung, the bracket hook 91 is introduced into the entry 47 at the wide portion 95 in the condition and the angle shown at 930 of FIG. 5. Then the piece of furniture is moved vertically to the desired location in the condition shown at 93b of FIG. 5 and when the desired location is reached, the furniture is rotated to its normal position, the condition shown at 930 of FIG. 5, the piece of furniture is now completely mounted in place. Similarly in removing the piece of furniture to put it at another location, the furniture'is rotated from position 93c of FIG. 5 to position 93b of FIG. 5 and then moved upwardly or downwardly to the wide entry slot 95 where the hooks 91 may pass through the wide entry slot 95 and the piece of the furniture be entirely removed.

The post construction for FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 on the one hand and FIG. 5 on the other hand are the same. But FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 show a structure in which a two-sided partition is to be erected, while FIGS. 3 and 5 on the other hand show a structure in which a single sided partition is to be erected and secured against the wall.

In the partition structure shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, a single vertical post 25 is used which is identical to the vertical post previously described in connection with FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. However, the base rail is arranged as shown in FIGS. 3 and 10 so that two sections 121, 122 are secured together, section 122 being secured by a screw 123 to the wall 124. The fact that the base rails and ceiling rails, rather than the vertical channel, are attached to the existing wall is a unique and key feature of the system. It allows the screws 123 to be inserted in the wall at any point relative to the existing wall structure such as wooden studs spaced 16 inches or 12 inches on center, and therefore the alignment of the system horizontal modular dimension with the existing wall horizontal structural module is not critical. If the partition is still to be free-standing but only one-sided, then the screw 123 or an appropriate holding device may pass into the floor rather than into the wall.

As shown in FIG. 10 the vertical post 25 should be provided in the vertical sections 33 and 34 thereof with aligned openings to provide a horizontal wire conduit.

By this means, therefore, a simplified modular partition arrangement may be obtained which can be two sided ,as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 or single sided as shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 10. The rail 200 may be provided as shown in FIG. 1 at the top, secured to the ceiling and inter-engaged with the post in the same manner as previously described for the bottom rail. In the case of the ceiling rail fabrication sequence, one L-shape rail would be attached to the ceiling structure and the vertical posts attached thereto, prior to attaching the other L-shaped ceiling channel section.

In the foregoing, the invention has been described only in connection with the illustrated preferred embodiments thereof. Since many variations and modifications of the invention will now be obvious to those skilled in the art, it is preferred that the scope of the invention be defined not by the specific embodiments herein shownbut by the appended claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive privilege or property is claimed are defined as follows:

l. A wall comprising a plurality of vertical posts spaced at selected intervals and a plurality of wall surface panels each having a width coresponding to the spacing between adjacent posts:

said posts each comprising a vertical channel; a pair of vertical flanges defining an entry to said channel and a pair of surface elements on opposite sides of closed toward the front of said channel and wall.

2. The wall of claim 1 wherein a'plurality of furniture structures are provided; each furniture structure having at least a pair of horizontally spaced and aligned brack ets with tabs extending from the rear thereof; said brackets being spaced apart by the distance between vertical channels of adjacent posts; said brackets being arranged to selectively engage and disengage the bracket support receiving elements of said flanges to removably support said furniture on said wall, said brackets being vertically slidable in said channels and introducible into selected recesses through the open sides thereof remote from the front of the channel and wall.

3. The wall of claim 1 wherein said channel provides an open sided passage for removably receiving and concealing elongated elements such as electric cords; said passage being open for entry and exit at any point.

4. The wall of claim 3 wherein base and top rails are provided; said posts having a substantially flat surface; the flat surface being aligned parallel to an existing wall surface and being aligned by the base and top rail at a modular spacing and being supported by said rails; said posts each having a channel for removably receiving and concealing elongated elements such as electric cords; said posts being attached to an existing wall structure at any point detennined only by the structural module of the existing wall.

5. The wall of claim 4 in which the base rails are supported by shims located directly under the vertical post positions to allow all vertical post loads to be transferred to the existing floor surface and which serve to allow the rail to remain level regardless of the floor surface condition; the space between the shims containing an acoustical absorbing material. 

1. A wall comprising a plurality of vertical posts spaced at selected intervals and a plurality of wall surface panels each having a width coresponding to the spacing between adjacent posts: said posts each comprising a vertical channel; a pair of vertical flanges defining an entry to said channel and a pair of surface elements on opposite sides of said channel each extending in a plane parallel to that of said wall; a plurality of vertically aligned slots in each of said last mentioned surface elements; and a plurality of hooks on each of said wall surface panels for engaging selected slots for hanging said wall panels on and between said posts; said vertical flanges each being provided with a plurality of vertically aligned recesses forming bracket support receiving elements, said recesses being open toward the interior of said channel and being closed toward the front of said channel and wall.
 2. The wall of claim 1 wherein a plurality of furniture structures are provided; each furniture structure having at least a pair of horizontally spaced and aligned brackets with tabs extending from the rear thereof; said brackets being spaced apart by the distance between vertical channels of adjacent posts; said brackets being arranged to selectively engage and disengage the bracket support receiving elements of said flanges to removably support said furniture on said wall, said brackets being vertically slidable in said channels and introducible into selected recesses through the open sides thereof remote from the front of the channel and wall.
 3. The wall of claim 1 wherein said channel provides an open sided passage for removably receiving and concealing elongated elements such as electric cords; said passage being open for entry and exit at any point.
 4. The wall of claim 3 wherein base and top rails are provided; said posts having a substantially flat surface; the flat surface being aligned parallel to an existing wall surface and being aligned by the base and top rail at a modular spacing and being supported by said rails; said posts each having a channel for removably receiving and concealing elongated elements such as electric cords; said posts being attached to an existing wall structure at any point determined only by the structural module of the existing wall.
 5. The wall of claim 4 in which the base rails are supported by shims located directly under the vertical post positions to allow all vertical post loads to be transferred to the existing floor surface and which serve to allow the rail to remain level regardless of the floor surface condition; the space between the shims containing an acoustical absorbing material. 